This week, as our last outdoor adventure in Sydney, my friends and I took a trip to the Blue Mountains for a quick hiking excursion. The journey took about three hours by bus and train, giving us plenty of time to enjoy the scenic views along the way. One of the highlights was visiting the famous Three Sisters, a sacred site for the Aboriginal people, believed to have been the location of important cultural rituals. Since we went on a weekday, the area wasn’t too crowded, allowing us to take great photos of the stunning landscapes. From there, we followed the Prince Henry Cliff Walk, which took us through a series of breathtaking lookouts before leading us to Leura Cascades. The small yet beautiful waterfall, creating a peaceful escape from the more popular sites. Walking across the bridges and hearing the gentle rush of water made the hike even more enjoyable.
This week has been amazing but also bittersweet because I had to say goodbye to Sydney, my home for the past two months, and to the friends I made along the way. To mark the occasion, some friends and I cooked dinner together as a farewell gathering, knowing that from here on, we would be heading to different countries for internships and various places for work, meaning we wouldn’t be able to hang out as often as we did in Sydney. After class, we went to the Laneway Cinema at The Rocks, a public outdoor movie theater, for a screening of E.T. We had bought our tickets a couple of weeks ago, but since we arrived about ten minutes late, we couldn’t get seats. Instead, they gave us a mat to sit on—which, honestly, turned out to be better than the chairs! Towards the end of the movie, it suddenly started raining. One of my friends had a big umbrella and quickly covered us, so we could keep watching the movie without getting completely soaked. It was such a unique and unforgettable experience. For dinner, we had KFC, Tim Tams, and fried rice cooked by Deborah. It was a heartfelt farewell and the perfect way to close out this chapter of our journey together.
On Friday morning, I woke up early and quickly got ready to leave because we had to check out by 6 AM! I was worried that my luggage might be overweight and that I’d have to pay extra. Thankfully, since we were flying as a group on a domestic flight, our baggage allowance covered up to 30kg, so I didn’t have to worry in the end.
After arriving in Cairns, we went straight to our accommodation at the Cairns Colonial Club Resort. For my first meal of the day, I had chicken wings, which tasted amazing—especially because I got to enjoy them by the poolside. After that, we rested for a bit before heading to dinner at a restaurant near our accommodation at 6 PM. The food was great, and it was a nice way to end my first day in Cairns, which was already off to an amazing start.
On the second day, we went snorkeling and diving at the Great Barrier Reef! The boat ride to the reef was rough, and for the first time ever, I felt dizzy on a boat. I had to take ginger pills, which thankfully helped a lot. I didn’t go diving, but I snorkeled at all three designated spots. While it wasn’t my first time snorkeling, this was definitely one of the most breathtaking places I’ve visited. The fish were incredibly diverse, and the vibrant corals stood out beautifully in the crystal-clear water. We were also lucky to be there on a day when the guide was conducting a coral review. A marine expert led us on a tour, explaining the different types of corals and their habitats. However, it was heartbreaking to learn how human activities—such as sunscreen pollution, boat emissions, and other disruptions—are causing many corals to die. Seeing the beauty of the reef up close made me reflect on my own actions and how even small changes, like using reef-safe sunscreen, can help protect these fragile ecosystems.
We also stopped by the night market for a quick dinner and to browse for souvenirs. It was such an amazing and fulfilling day—I got to enjoy incredible experiences, delicious food, and even found some cute souvenirs to bring back home!
